Control system for exercise equipment

ABSTRACT

A control system for an exercise apparatus comprising an increment control array including at least three increment control contact elements, wherein each of the contact elements has a different pre-assigned numerical control increment value and the contact elements can be selectively activated both in an individual and in a combined cumulative manner for controlling one of more operating parameters of the exercise apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to operating control systems fortreadmills and other exercise equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A need presently exists for a system for controlling, programming, andoperating treadmills, stationary bicycles, elliptical machines, stairclimbers, and other exercise equipment which will allow the user to morequickly input, change, and establish any desired value of exercisespeed, degree of incline, amount of resistance or tension, exercisetime, targeted distance, targeted calorie count, and/or any otheroperating and/or program parameter. Most treadmill systems currentlyavailable on the market have user control panels which include up anddown speed buttons, keys, or other contact elements which only allow theuser to set or change the speed in small increments of about 0.1 milesper hour (MPH). Consequently, in order to establish a speed of 5 MPH,the user must press the up speed button 50 times or must continue tohold the up speed button for a period of time amounting to 50 presses.Similarly, many treadmills also include a pair of up and down inclinebuttons, keys, or other contact elements which only allow the user toset or change the incline of the treadmill belt in small increments ofabout 0.5%.

In order to make the operation and programming of the system a bit moreconvenient, some treadmills include alternative or added buttons, keys,or other contact elements, which correspond to specific preset speedand/or incline values. Unfortunately, however, these precise presetvalues of speed and/or incline often will not correspond to the specificactual operating parameters or conditions desired by the user.Consequently, in those systems which only include the specific presetoptions, the user will be forced to operate the system at conditionswhich may be significantly below or above the values actually desired.

Moreover, even in the prior art systems which include dual sets ofcontrols, the user is still required to use the small increment, up anddown controls extensively for zeroing in on specific desired parametersand/or for making a desired increment change from a base or currentoperating condition. Thus, by way of example, if the specific presetspeed options for a treadmill of this type are 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 MPH (ore.g., medium, low, and high), there is no convenient way for the user toestablish an initial speed of say 1.5 MPH and then quickly adjust thespeed in intervals while exercising to speeds of 2.5 MPH, 3.5 MPH, andthen 4.5 MPH.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the needs and addresses the problemsdiscussed above. In one aspect, there is provided a control system foran exercise apparatus. The control system comprises an increment controlarray including at least three increment control contact elements. Eachof the increment control contact elements has a different pre-assignednumerical control increment value. The increment control contactelements can be selectively activated by a user both in an individualmanner and in a combined cumulative manner for incrementally setting,incrementally changing, or both incrementally setting and incrementallychanging one or more operating parameters of the exercise apparatus inaccordance with the pre-assigned numerical control increment values.

In another aspect, the increment control array can be operated, forexample, for incrementally setting and incrementally changing anoperating speed of the exercise apparatus such that, when being used forincrementally setting and incrementally changing the operating speed,the pre-assigned numerical control increment values are numerical unitsof incremental velocity. In another aspect, the incremental controlarray can be operated, for example, for incrementally setting andincrementally changing an operating incline of the exercise apparatussuch that, when being used for incrementally setting and incrementallychanging the operating incline, the pre-assigned numerical controlincrement values are numerical units of incremental incline percentageor angle.

In another aspect, the control system can further comprise, for example,a speed increase contact element and a speed decrease contact elementwhich are not included in the increment control array and which can alsobe used for controlling the operating speed of the exercise apparatus.The speed increase contact element and the speed decrease contactelement will preferably operate to control the operating speed of theexercise apparatus in increments which are smaller, in terms of absolutevalue, than the pre-assigned numerical control increment values of theincrement control contact elements.

In another aspect, the control system can further comprise, for example,an incline increase contact element and an incline decrease contactelement which are not included in the increment control array and whichcan also be used for controlling the operating incline of the exerciseapparatus. The incline increase contact element and the incline decreasecontact element will preferably operate to control the operating inclineof the exercise apparatus in increments which are smaller, in terms ofabsolute value, than the pre-assigned numerical control increment valuesof the increment control contact elements.

In another aspect, the control system can further comprise a speedaccess contact element for activation before, after, or both before andafter activating a selected one or a selected combination of theincrement control contact elements to cause the increment control arrayto operate to control the operating speed of the exercise apparatus. Inanother aspect, the control system can further comprise an inclineaccess contact element for activation by the user before, after, or bothbefore and after activating a selected one or a selected combination ofthe increment control contact elements to cause the increment controlarray to control the operating incline of the exercise apparatus.

Further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon examining theaccompanying drawings and upon reading the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a treadmill 2 having the inventivecontrol system incorporated therein.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment 10 of the inventive controlsystem.

FIG. 3 illustrates a user interface control and display panel 12 for theembodiment 10 of the inventive operating and control system used in thetreadmill 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment 10 of the inventive operating and control system for atreadmill 2 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. As is typical, the treadmill 2comprises: a frame structure 4; a treadmill belt 5 mounted in the frame4 for continuous rotational movement; a belt motor 6 for driving thebelt; and an incline motor 8 for adjusting the angle of inclination ofthe treadmill belt 5. It will be understood, however, that the inventivecontrol system 10 can be readily adapted for use in any other type oftreadmill apparatus, as well as in generally any other type of exercisedevice or system including, but not limited to, elliptical machines,stationary bicycles, stair climbers, etc. for controlling, e.g.,incline, tension, resistance, or any other desired parameters.

The inventive operating and control system 10 employed in the treadmill2 comprises: a control and display panel 12; a belt or belt motor speedsensor 14; a belt incline sensor 16; a heart rate sensor 18; and amagnetic safety stop key 20 which is receivable in a key slot 22 andincludes a cord and clip 24 for attachment to the user's clothing. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the control and display panel 12, the speedsensor 14, the incline sensor 16, the heart rate sensor 18, and the keyslot 22 are all electrically linked to a microprocessor or othercomputing system 26.

The control and display panel 12 of the inventive system 10 includes: amode contact element 30; a stop contact element 32; a first speedcontrol 34 including an up increment contact element 36 and a downincrement contact element 38; a first incline control 40 including an upincrement button or other contact element 42 and a down incrementcontact element 44; a time display window 46; a speed display window 48;an incline and pulse display window 50; a distance and calorie displaywindow 52; and a matrix display window 54. In addition, the control anddisplay panel 12 preferably includes: a quick response speed (QRS)access contact element 56; a quick response incline (QRI) access contactelement 58; and an array 60 of specific increment control contactelements. As used herein, the term “contact elements” includes buttons,switches, pressure pads, touch screen elements, and all other types ofuser interface contact elements known in the art.

The increment control array 60 of the inventive control system 10preferably includes at least three specific increment buttons or othercontact elements. Each of these contact elements has a pre-assigned,unique numerical increment control value which is different from thevalues of all of the other buttons of the increment array 60. In theembodiment 10 of the inventive control system shown in FIG. 3, theincrement control array 60 includes five increment control buttons orother contact elements having pre-assigned numerical increment values of−2, −1, +1, +2, and +3. However, by way of example and not by way oflimitation, the increment control array 60 might include seven contactelements having respective increment values of −3, −2, −1, +2, +3, +4and +5. As yet another example, the increment control array 60 mightinclude three contact elements having respective values of −1, +2, and+3.

The increment control array 60 can be used to quickly make largeincremental entries and selections for inputting, establishing, and/orchanging the belt speed, the degree or angle of incline, a set exercisetime, a target speed, a target pulse rate, a workout distance, a workoutcalorie count, and/or any other desired operating or control parameter.

In the inventive control system 10, the five individual contact elementsof the increment control array 60 can be used for making respectiveautomatic incremental entries or changes in speed wherein thepre-assigned numerical control increment values of the five contactelements become numerical units of incremental velocity such as, e.g.,−2 MPH, −1 MPH, +1 MPH, +2 MPH, and +3 MPH. Similarly, when used formaking incremental entries and changes in incline, the numerical controlincrement values of the five increment control contact elements becomenumerical units of incremental incline percentage or angle such as,e.g., −2%, −1%, +1%, +2%, and +3%. Likewise, for time increment entries,the pre-assigned numerical control increment values of the five contactelements will correspond to numerical increments of time, e.g., −2minutes, −1 minute, +1 minute, +2 minutes, and +3 minutes.

Moreover, the contact elements of the increment control array 60 canalso be used cumulatively in any combination of entries so that, forexample, if the user desires to enter a starting speed of 5 MPH or makea 5 MPH change in an existing speed, the user can push the +2 button andthen push the +3 button, or vice versa. For cumulative entries of thistype, the inventive control system will preferably require that eachsuccessive entry be made within a set allowed time (e.g., 3 seconds) ofthe previous entry.

In the inventive control system 10, the speed of the apparatus can beinput or changed at any time using either the increment control array60, the up and down speed buttons 36 and 38, or both. The up and downspeed buttons 36 and 38 will preferably be set to provide smallerincremental increases and decreases in speed, in terms of absolutevalue, than the contact elements of the increment control array 60. Theup and down speed buttons 36 and 38 preferably provide incremental upand down changes in the range of from about 0.05 MPH to about 0.25 MPH(most preferably 0.1 MPH).

Similarly, the incline of the treadmill belt 5 can be input or changedat any time using either the increment control array 60, the up and downincline increment buttons 42 and 44, or a combination thereof. The upand down incline buttons 42 and 44 will preferably be set to providesmaller increases and decreases in the incline angle of the belt in therange of from about 0.25% to 0.5% (most preferably 0.5%).

To use the increment control array 60 for entering or changing the beltspeed, the user will preferably press the quick response speed accesscontact element 56 either before, after, or both before and after (mostpreferably before) pressing the desired contact elements or combinationof contact elements in the increment control array 60. Similarly, whenusing the increment control array 60 for entering or changing the beltincline, the user will preferably press the quick response inclineaccess contact element 58 either before, after, or both before and after(most preferably before) pressing the desired contact element orcombination of contact elements in the increment control array 60.

In the inventive control system 10, the user can also use the modebutton 30 to access the increment control array 60 for entering orchanging a set exercise time, a targeted distance, a targeted caloriecount, and/or a targeted heart rate. In addition, when in the programmode the user can also use the mode button 30 as an alternative meansfor accessing the increment control array 60 for entering or changingthe speed or incline. Moreover, if desired, the control and displaypanel 12 of the inventive control system 10 can also optionally includeadditional contact elements (not shown), similar to the quick responseaccess speed (QRS) element 56 and the quick response incline (QRI)element 58, for providing direct access to the increment control array60 for entering or changing the targeted time, calorie count, distance,heart rate, and/or other desired parameter(s).

To begin operation of the inventive control system 10 and treadmill 2,the user will place the safety key 20 in the key slot 22 and clip thesafety key cord 24 to his or her clothing. The removal of the magneticsafety stop key 20 from the key slot 22 at any time during operationwill cause the treadmill 2 to stop immediately.

In one aspect, the inventive control system 10 can be used for manualoperation of the treadmill 2 by simply inputting the desired speed andincline values for the belt 5. The speed of the belt 5 can be entered,or changed at any time, by (a) using the up and down speed contactelements 36 and 38, (b) using the increment control array 60 by pressingthe quick response speed element 56 and then pressing any desiredincrement control contact element or cumulative combination of incrementelements in the array 60 or (c) using both the increment control array60 and the up and down increment buttons 36 and 38. Similarly, thedesired inclination of the belt 5 can be entered, or changed at anytime, by either (a) using the up and down incline contact elements 42and 44, (b) using the increment control array 60 by first pressing thequick response incline access element 58 and then pressing any desiredincrement control contact element or cumulative combination of incrementelements in the array 60 or (c) using both the increment control array60 and the up and down increment buttons 42 and 44.

The inventive control system 10 will also preferably include a pluralityof different preprogrammed workouts which can alternatively be selectedand implemented by the user. Each of the programs will preferably bedivided into a plurality of (preferably 10) equal time segments. Theuser controls each program by inputting the total time of the workout,the maximum belt speed, and the maximum belt incline. For any givenprogram selected, the characteristics of the program will change basedupon the user's choice of maximum speed and/or maximum incline. If theuser chooses a maximum speed of 4 MPH and a maximum incline of 5%, theselective program will have an entirely different feel than if the userchooses a maximum speed of 6.5 MPH and a maximum incline of 8.0%.

Each of the 10 segments of the selected workout program will be basedupon a different, predetermined percentage of the selected maximum speedand incline. For example, if a given segment is programmed to operate at80% of the maximum speed and 50% of the maximum incline, then, assumingthat a maximum speed of 4 MPH was entered, the treadmill will run atapproximately 3.2 MPH during the segment. Similarly, assuming that theselected maximum incline value was 5%, the belt will automaticallyadjust to an incline value of 2.5% during the segment.

Moreover, the user can also increase or decrease the speed or incline ofthe belt 5 during any segment of the preprogrammed workout using either(a) the up and down speed increment buttons 36 and 38 or the up and downincline buttons 42 or 44, (b) the quick response speed element 56 orquick response incline element 58 in combination with the incrementelement array 60, or (c) a combination thereof.

To access, view, and select from the program options, the user willpress and hold the mode button 30 for a predetermined period of time(preferably about 3 seconds) until a beep tone is generated. At the sametime, the number of the first program, together with a programdifficulty chart, will be displayed in the matrix display window 54. Thedifficulty chart will preferably comprise a series of vertical columns,each representing one of the 10 time segments of the program with tallercolumns indicating a greater degree of difficulty than shorter columns.The relative difficulty levels are determined based upon the combinedvalues of speed and incline pertaining to each segment. The user canscroll through the available workout programs using the up and downspeed buttons 36 and 38 and can accept a program by pressing the stopbutton 32.

Upon accepting a preprogrammed workout, the time display window 46 willbegin to flash as an indication that the user must now input the desiredmaximum total time for the workout. The default value for the maximumworkout time will preferably be a predetermined value such as, e.g., 10minutes. The user can change this value either by (a) the directactivation of the speed up and down increment buttons 36, 38, (b) thedirect activation of any contact element or cumulative combination ofcontact elements in the increment control array 60, or (c) a combinationthereof. Once a desired maximum time has been entered, the user willpress the stop button 32 to accept the entered value.

Next, the speed display window 48 will begin to flash as an indicationthat the user must now enter the desired maximum allowed speed for theworkout. The desired maximum speed can be entered by either (a) directlyactivating the up and down speed increment buttons 36 and 38, (b)directly activating any contact element or cumulative combination ofcontact elements in the increment control array 60, or (c) a combinationthereof. Once the desired maximum speed has been entered, the user willpress the stop button 32 to accept the selected value.

Following the input and acceptance of the desired maximum speed, theincline display window 50 will begin to flash as an indication that theuser must now enter the desired maximum incline for the workout. Toenter the desired maximum incline value, the user can either (a)directly activate the up and down incline increment buttons 42 and 44,(b) directly activate any contact element or cumulative combination ofcontact elements in the increment control array 60, or (c) a combinationthereof. After inputting the desired maximum incline value, the userwill accept the value by pressing the stop button 32.

Finally, after accepting the desired maximum incline value, the user canbegin the program by pressing the mode button 30. The actual speed andincline values for the first segment of the program will thenautomatically flash in the speed display and incline display windows 48and 50 and the system will provide an indication (e.g., five beeptones), indicating that the belt 5 will now begin to move.

During the running of the program, the time display window 46 will countdown the total time remaining for the workout program. The speed displaywindow 48 will show the current speed of the treadmill and the inclinewindow 50 will show the current incline of the belt 5. The totaldistance traveled and calories burned, as well as the user's pulse, canbe selected and viewed as desired in the display windows 50 and 52 byoperating the mode button 30.

As indicated above, the user can adjust the actual speed and/or inclineof the belt 5 while the belt 5 is running during any segment of theprogram by either (a) directly operating the speed up and down incrementbuttons 36 and 38 or the incline up and down increment buttons 40 and42, (b) activating either the quick response speed button 56 or thequick response incline button 58 and then activating any button orcombination of buttons in the increment control array 60, or (c) acombination thereof. Except as explained hereinbelow, such speed orincline changes made during any segment of the programmed workout willonly affect the speed and incline of the belt for the remainder of thatsegment. Such changes, except as explained hereinbelow, will not affectthe speed or incline of the belt during any upcoming segments of theworkout.

Toward the end of each program segment, the system will preferablyadvise the user that the next segment is about to begin and that theoperating parameters are about to change in accordance with therequirements of the program. Preferably, with about 10 seconds remainingin the current segment, the speed display window 48 will begin to flashthe new speed of the upcoming segment. In addition, the incline displaywindow 50 will preferably begin to flash the new incline setting for theupcoming segment and the difficulty graph shown in the matrix displaywindow 54 will preferably begin to flash the vertical difficulty columncorresponding to the new segment. At 5 seconds remaining in the segment,the system will preferably provide an indication or warning (e.g., 5beep tones) alerting the user of the upcoming change. Any speed orincline adjustments made during the final 10 seconds of the segment willnot affect the current segment operation but will be applied only to theupcoming segment.

At the end of the program, the system will provide an indication (e.g.,5 beep tones) announcing that the final segment is about to end and thatthe belt 5 will stop. After stopping, the control system 10 will be in apause mode such that by operation of the mode button 30, the user canlook at the total distance traveled and the total calorie count for theworkout. If desired, the user can add to these values by beginningmanual operation of the system as described above. Alternatively, theuser can press or hold the stop button 32 to clear all values to zero.Also, at any time during the course of the workout program, the user canautomatically place the control system 10 in the pause mode by pressingthe stop button 32 once.

In another aspect, the inventive control system 10 will allow the userto operate the treadmill 2 at any desired speed and incline for aselected time entered by the user. To begin operation in a programmedtime mode, the user will insert the safety stop key 20 in the key slot22 and then depress the mode button 30 once so that the time displaywindow 46 begins to flash. The user can then enter the desired totaltime for his or her workout by either (a) directly activating the up anddown speed increment buttons 36 and 38, (b) directly activating anybutton or cumulative combination of buttons in the increment controlarray 60, or (c) a combination thereof. The up and down speed incrementbuttons 36 and 38 will preferably be effective for increasing ordecreasing the set time in one minute intervals. The time (minutes)increments provided by the increment control array 60, on the otherhand, will correspond to the number values of the array buttons. Oncethe desire workout time has been entered, the user will press the modebutton 30 twice to accept the entered time value. The user can thenenter, establish, or change the speed and incline of the belt 5 in thesame manner as in the manual operating procedure described above.However, in contrast to the manual procedure, once the belt 5 begins tomove, a countdown of the preprogrammed time will begin and the belt 5will automatically stop when the programmed time expires.

Similarly, in another aspect, the user can cause the system to operatefor a programmed distance by inserting the safety stop key 20, pressingthe mode button 30 twice, and then entering and accepting a desiredprogrammed distance value. The programmed distance can be entered byeither (a) directly activating the up and down speed increment buttons36 and 38, (b) directly activating any button or cumulative combinationof buttons in the increment control array 60, or (c) a combinationthereof. When used in this mode for setting a programmed distance, theup and down speed increment buttons 36 and 38 will preferably operate toincrease or decrease the set distance in increments of ±0.5 miles orless. The mileage increments provided by the increment control array 60,on the other hand, will correspond to the number values of the arraybuttons. Once the desired programmed distance has been entered, the userwill confirm and accept the entered distance by pressing the mode button30 once. The user can then enter, establish, or change the speed andincline of the belt 5 in the same manner as the manual proceduredescribed above and the belt 5 will automatically stop when theprogrammed distance is reached.

As will be apparent, the inventive control system 10 can also be adaptedto provide for a combined programmed time and distance mode, aprogrammed calorie mode, a set heart rate mode, or in any other mode orprogram desired wherein the increment control array 60 can be used toset the programmed parameters and to input, establish, and change theoperating parameters of the treadmill 2 in any mode.

Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects andattain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherenttherein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described forpurposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes andmodifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention asdefined by the appended claims.

1. A control system for an exercise apparatus, said control system comprising an increment control array including at least three increment control contact elements, wherein each of said increment control contact elements has a different pre-assigned numerical control increment value and said increment control contact elements can be activated by a user both in an individual manner and in a combined cumulative manner for incrementally setting, incrementally changing, or both incrementally setting and incrementally changing one or more operating parameters of said exercise apparatus in accordance with said pre-assigned numerical control increment values.
 2. The control system of claim 1 wherein: a first of said increment control contact elements has a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of −1; a second of said increment control contact elements has a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of +2; and a third of said increment control contact elements has a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of +3.
 3. The control system of claim 2 wherein said one or more operating parameters of said exercise apparatus include an operating speed of said exercise apparatus, an operating incline of said exercise apparatus, a workout time, a workout distance, a workout calorie count, or a combination thereof.
 4. The control system of claim 3 wherein said increment control array further includes: a fourth increment control contact element having a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of −2 and a fifth increment control contact element having a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of +1.
 5. The control system of claim 1 wherein said increment control array can be operated for incrementally setting and incrementally changing an operating speed of said exercise apparatus such that, when being used for incrementally setting and incrementally changing said operating speed, said pre-assigned numerical control increment values are numerical units of incremental velocity.
 6. The control system of claim 5 further comprising a speed increase contact element and a speed decrease contact element which are not included in said increment control array and which can also be used for controlling said operating speed of said exercise apparatus.
 7. The control system of claim 6 wherein said speed increase contact element and said speed decrease contact element operate to control said operating speed in increments which are smaller, in terms of absolute value, than said pre-assigned numerical control increment values of said increment control contact elements.
 8. The control system of claim 5 further comprising a speed access contact element for activation before, after, or both before and after activating a selected one or a selected combination of said increment control contact elements to cause said increment control array to operate to control said operating speed of said exercise apparatus.
 9. The control system of claim 1 wherein said increment control array can be operated for incrementally setting and incrementally changing an operating incline of said exercise apparatus such that, when being used for incrementally setting and incrementally changing said operating incline, said pre-assigned numerical control increment values are numerical units of incremental incline percentage or angle.
 10. The control system of claim 9 further comprising an incline increase contact element and an incline decrease contact element which are not included in said increment control array and which can also be used for controlling said operating incline of said exercise apparatus.
 11. The control system of claim 10 wherein said incline increase contact element and said incline decrease contact element operate to control said operating incline in increments which are smaller, in terms of absolute value, than said pre-assigned numerical control increment values of said increment control contact elements.
 12. The control system of claim 9 further comprising an incline access contact element for activation by said user before, after, or both before and after activating a selected one or a selected combination of said increment control contact elements to cause said increment control array to control said operating incline of said exercise apparatus.
 13. A control system for a treadmill, said control system comprising an increment control array including at least three increment control contact elements, each of said increment control contact elements having a different pre-assigned numerical control increment value and said increment control contact elements being selectively activatable by a user both in an individual manner and in a combined cumulative manner for incrementally setting and incrementally changing an operating speed of said treadmill and for incrementally setting and incrementally changing an operating incline of said treadmill.
 14. The control system of claim 13 wherein: when said increment control array is used for incrementally setting and incrementally changing said operating speed, said pre-assigned numerical control increment values are numerical units of incremental velocity and when said increment control array is used for incrementally setting and incrementally changing said operating incline, said pre-assigned numerical control increment values are numerical units of incremental incline percentage or angle.
 15. The control system of claim 14 wherein said numerical units of incremental velocity are incremental miles per hour and said numerical units of incremental incline percentage or angle are incremental percent incline.
 16. The control system of claim 15 wherein: a first of said increment control contact elements has a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of −1; a second of said increment control contact elements has a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of +2; and a third of said increment control contact elements has a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of +3.
 17. The control system of claim 16 wherein said increment control array further includes: a fourth increment control contact element having a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of −2 and a fifth increment control contact element having a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of +1.
 18. The control system of claim 14 further comprising: a speed increase contact element and a speed decrease contact element which are not included in said incremental control array and which can also be used for controlling said operating speed and an incline increase contact element and an incline decrease contact element which are not included in said increment control array and which can also be used for controlling said operating incline.
 19. The control system of claim 18 wherein: said speed increase contact element and said speed decrease contact element operate to control said operating speed in increments which are smaller, in terms of absolute value, than said numerical units of incremental velocity represented by said pre-assigned numerical control values of said increment control contact elements and said incline increase contact element and said incline decrease contact element operate to control said operating incline in increments which are smaller, in terms of absolute value, than said numerical units of incremental incline percentage or angle represented by said pre-assigned numerical control values of said increment control contact elements.
 20. The control system of claim 14 further comprising: a speed access contact element for activation before, after, or both before and after activating a selected one or a selected combination of said increment control contact elements to cause said increment control array to operate to control said operating speed and an incline access contact element for activation before, after, or both before and after activating a selected one or a selected combination of said increment control contact elements to cause said increment control array to operate to control said operating incline, wherein said incline access contact element is different from said speed access contact element. 